I use the word brag, for this is what those who do not believe the followers of Mashiach, (the Anointed One Yehoshua), would be saying.
They think now it is no longer necessary to be consecrated to Yehovah.
On the contrary now it is crucial to be consecrated to Yehovah and take such vow, and to fast. We live in perilous evil times not knowing from one moment to another what is coming on. Wars and rumors of wars are on the door steps. We hear about it every day, yet we seem to become numb to it.
What are we, as believers and followers of Mashiach doing? Are we consecrating ourselves to Yehovah and choose to live holy lives?
Are we giving up going to movies that use blasphemies to our Elohim, and cuss continually? Or we let them become part of our diet?
Are we supporting such ministers in politic who cuss, and live unholy lives? Are we laughing at the dirty jokes we hear on television?
Are we not seeking our Elohim more than we did last year? Are we agreeing and supporting leaders who love to kill the babies in the womb and out?
Are we becoming anti Semitic? Are we spending our time gossiping and criticizing others while we are living in sin?
These things are indeed being done in so called Christian communities to our shame. Now it is time to be consecrated to Yehovah. If not now, when? When our freedom will be completely removed from us? Then it will be too late. You may loose your life as it is prophesied in the Scriptures. Now is the time to seek Him, not when the fire is burning you out.
Who is Nazirite? Let me write down who this person is.
Then Yehovah spoke to Mosheh/Moses saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Yehovah, he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin.
All
the days of the vow of his separation no razor shall come upon his
head; until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to
Yehovah, he shall be holy. Then he shall let the locks of the hair of
his head grow. All the days that he separates himself to Yehovah he
shall not go near a dead body. He shall not make himself unclean even
for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when
they die, because his separation to Elohim on his head. All the days
of his separation he shall be holy to Yehovah.’”
Bemidbar/Numbers 6:1-8
According to the above Scripture man or woman can take this vow voluntarily and follow the instruction Yehovah has given to Mosheh. This vow is purely voluntary. However, sometimes Yehovah is the One who calls a person to be a Nazirite as in Samson case. We read his biography in Shophetim/Judges 13-16. Yehovah actually visited his mother and told her that she would give birth to a son and gave her instruction on what she could not eat. Even the mother had to fast the vine for her son would be a Nazirite to Yehovah from the womb to the day of his death, (See Shophetim/Judges 13:7). He had a special call to begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. However he got involved with a woman and when he revealed his vow, he lost his power because they cut his hair, which was a symbol of his separation. You must read those chapters in the Scriptures and realize how serious is Yehovah about us keeping our vows.
When you make a vow to Elohim, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools.
Pay what you have vowed-better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
Qohelet/Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Vows need to be kept. If we disobey Yehovah, he will not be pleased with us. As mentioned above, Samson lost his strength because he revealed his vow to that woman.
There are special reasons why Yehovah would tell a person to do this vow. First of all it is a matter of obedience. He may be testing your devotion to Him.
He demands our obedience. We learn this fact when He gave us His Commandments on Mount Sinai. First He asks us if we would obey.
And Mosheh went up to Elohim, and Yehovah called to him from the mountain saying, “Thus shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’
Shemot/Exodus 19:3-6
The decision is always on us. But if we dedicated ourselves to Him we will receive special blessings.
I know of a woman who was told by Yehovah to take this vow, and He promised her peace in the mist of a storm. She took the vow, and when she cut her hair she had go give and offering. We no longer have the animal sacrifice that was ordained at the time the vow was instituted. Now we have the Perfect Sacrifice of the Son of Yehovah, Yehoshua, who died and rose again to redeem us from the penalty of death that sin has brought upon our lives. She also gave a monetary offering.
We read I Ma’aseh/Acts 21:23-24 that James urged Shaul/Paul to pay the expenses of the four men who took the vow. This was the Nazirite vow. Paul purified himself with them. I suppose that he had also taken the Nazirite vow. He had to prove to the leaders in Jerusalem that he was still keeping the Law, or the Torah. Remember this took place long after Yehoshua had died and rose again. Now that we are saved by grace, and not by keeping the law perfectly.
For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Elohim, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:8-9
This vow is very important, especially when a person has a special call. Paul certainly had a special call. However, it can be taken by anyone if they want to be separated unto Him for a special time. They want to come closer to Him, and be used according to His perfect will.
The woman mentioned above is now taking this vow for life. She can never go to a funeral, and prays none of her family dies before she does. But she cannot brake the vow with Yehovah.
What about you? Would you take such vow to give yourself completely to Yehovah?
To stop eating grapes and raisins, and any drink any thing with vinegar. Many products have vinegar in it. You must be completely dedicated to Yehovah and put Him first of all if you want to do this vow.
You do not have to be broadcasting this decision to anyone, for it is your commitment. But if someone finds out about it, do not make a big deal about it. Be simple, and truly do it for Yehovah alone, and not to be praised by men, for if this is your goal, please stop and do nothing.
Be pure and humble, and do not parade your “righteousness” or your “holiness” to anyone. Yehovah sees your intentions and will reward you accordingly. Be a true believer in Him, and serve Him in holiness all the days of your life.
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